From the MC's Perspective:
The Black-Clothed Woman finally broke her silence, her gaze sharp as she asked, "Who are you?" Her voice cut through the stillness, cold and tinged with a hint of irritation, as if my presence here had disrupted something important.
Without hesitation, I answered, "I'm heading to the Ancient Redwood Country. I happened to stumble upon this place while traveling."
Her eyes flickered at my words, but I continued before she had a chance to respond, "Is there a nearby city where I can find transport for the journey ahead?"
The woman—Gloria Moody, stood still, her expression betraying a subtle shift. Her reaction caught my attention. At the mention of the Ancient Redwood Country, something had changed in her demeanor. It was as though a storm had swept through her mind, a ripple of shock that she struggled to hide.
